LUBBOCK, Texas (January 31, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University did not show any signs of losing three all-americans from a year ago in their 2015 season opener, as  LCU matched last season's high in runs (18) and hits (21) en route to an 18-15 win over Adams State University at a wet and foggy Hays Field.

LCU's 18 runs were spearheaded by an 11-run third inning. Already up 6-1 after a four-run second inning highlighted by an RBI-double from Wade Stramp and RBI-triple from Jesse Pintado, LCU produced 11 runs off 10 hits. Josh Powe, playing in his 46th game of his LCU career, hit his first home run of his career with a two-run homer over the left field fence as part of the scoring frenzy. Brett Wilhelm had a single and a triple for two hits during the inning as well.

Trailing 17-1 after three innings, ASU didn't give up. They responded with 14 of the next 15 runs. The Grizzlies produced six runs off four hits in the fourth inning and five runs off three hits in the fifth inning. A pair of walks in the ninth inning allowed ASU to place the tying run at the plate, but pitcher Elfego Torres responded by retiring the next three batters to claim his first save as a Chap. The game ended seven minutes shy of a four-hour affair.

All nine Chaps in the starting line-up produced at least one hit and seven players had multi-hit performances. Gerardo Arzaga was 4-for-6 at the plate to lead LCU. Five different Chaps co-led the team in RBI with two. Tyler Thurston led ASU with a 3-for-7 performance at the plate.

Pitching numbers were not pretty, as the two teams combined for 33 runs off 36 hits. ASU starting pitcher Andrew MacMahon allowed nine runs off 12 hits and lasted only two innings while being credited with the loss. Brig Gerlich started for LCU but did not receive a decision after allowing three earned runs off seven hits in 3.2 innings. The win went to Glen Warrick, who went 2.2 innings in relief and struck out five batters. LCU went through six pitchers and they combined for 14 strikeouts. ASU pitchers Bailey Garcia and Benjamin Nutsch combined for five innings in relief and held LCU to one run off two hits in the span.

LCU is now 9-3 in openers under head coach Nathan Blackwood. The 18 runs were the most in an opener under Blackwood. Overall, the last time LCU had 18 runs in a game was Feb. 9, 2014 at New Mexico Highlands. The last time they had 21 hits was Feb. 28, 2014 at Newman. The 18 runs comes in an opener a season after being shutout and falling 1-0 to ASU in last season's opener at Hays Field.

The Chaps (1-0) and ASU (0-1) will play the second game of their three-game series Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The series wraps up Monday with all games played at Hays Field.